(in a right triangle) the ratio of the side adjacent to a given angle to the hypotenuse.
the sine of the complement of a given angle or arc.
Abbreviation: cos.
2.
Mathematics. (of a real or complex number x) the function cos x defined by the infinite series 1 − (x2 /2!) + (x4 /4!) − + …, where ! denotes factorial.
From a mathematical point of view, correlation is the cosine of an angle between two data vectors.
Two functions that meet those requirements are the sine and cosine functions.
The cosine and sine functions cause periodic nulls, unless they are cancelled out by the term in the denominator.
cosine response characteristics of radiometric and photometric sensors.
Students determine the particular cosine equation that best fits the statistical data.
British Dictionary definitions for cosine
cosine
/ˈkəʊˌsaɪn/
noun (of an angle)
1.
a trigonometric function that in a right-angled triangle is the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to that of the hypotenuse; the sine of the complement cos
Word Origin
C17: from New Latin cosinus; see co-, sine1
Word Origin and History for cosine
n.
1630s, from co. sinus, abbreviation of Medieval Latin complementi sinus (see complement + sine).
cosine in Science
cosine
(kō'sīn')
The ratio of the length of the side adjacent to an acute angle of a right triangle to the length of the hypotenuse.
The abscissa of the endpoint of an arc of a unit circle centered at the origin of a Cartesian coordinate system, the arc being of length x and measured counterclockwise from the point (1, 0) if x is positive or clockwise if x is negative.
A function of a number x, equal to the cosine of an angle whose measure in radians is equal to x.
cosine in Technology
Cooperation for Open Systems Interconnection Networking in Europe. A EUREKA project.